Release in a Chlorine Production Plant
An aerosol of hydrogen, hydrogen chloride and sulfuric acid is released in a plant producing chlorine via electrolysis.The exhaust pipe on the water circuit of the electrolyzer was blinded due to the deterioration of the anticorrosion coating. Hydrogen permeated through the diaphragm and mixed with chlorine.
Event Date
January 14, 1996
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
According to the ARIA report (see references) the immediate cause was the deterioration of an anticorrosion coating, causing the blocking of the water circuit. Although nothing is reported on root cause, inadequate inspection and/or maintenance could have plaid part.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
chlorine electrolyzer
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
An aerosol of hydrogen, hydrogen chloride and sulfuric acid is released in an plant producing industrial gas via electrolysis. Due to the direction of wind, the cloud intoxicate slightly 30 persons.
Release Type
Release Substance
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Flame Length (m)
5.00
Source Category
References
References
Event description in the French database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/14564/
(accessed October 2020)
Event description extracted from the UK database ICHEME in PDF
ICHEME database is no longer available for purchase, but data can be download as PDF for free.
https://www.icheme.org/knowledge/safety-centre/resources/accident-data/
(accessed Aug 2023)